Anyone have an opinion on whether to put chains on the front or back. I don't use them that often (actually, only once) but it got pretty icy on the trail this weekend and threw them on to see how they would do. I have a set of four but shared my other set and only put on two.

For reference, I have an FJ40 that is locked in the rear. I have a SBC 350 (which decreases weight in the front vs a 2F. I do have the soft top on but have a 22 gal auxiliary tank in the back that I usually run full. Plus I usually carry 100 lbs of gear in the back when I wheel so both of those more than compensate for the weight lost in running the soft top.

Anyway, I ran them in the front this weekend thinking they would help bust through some of the drifts and keep some traction on the front tires. They seemed to do pretty good but was curious what the rest of you have experienced. I certainly see the logic in putting them on the locked rear tires.

Fronts will do you more good on the trail. Chains work good on ice and snow you can touch bottom in. Brady is spot on.....a aired down mud tire will take you a lot further on deep snow. If the snow is crystalline (like sugar) nothing works but momentum.

If you have them on the front, you are better able to steer. If you're going up or down steep hills, it is best to have them on the uphill set of tires to prevent the high end from spinning around and passing the low end.

Brady, I know your approach works great when you have big, wide tires, but some of us are constrained by small, skinny tires, u-bolt plates that hang down, etc. At least for the time being.

If you have them on the front, you are better able to steer. If you're going up or down steep hills, it is best to have them on the uphill set of tires to prevent the high end from spinning around and passing the low end.

Brady, I know your approach works great when you have big, wide tires, but some of us are constrained by small, skinny tires, u-bolt plates that hang down, etc. At least for the time being.

You should take lessons from Papa Root! His open/open 40 on 9.50 at's barefoot will keep up with the big dogs all day long!

If your rear is trying to pass your front get your foot off the brake and DRIVE!

If you go down a hill slowly with only front chains, your rear end will come around. If you're towing a trailer full of elk hunting gear, it'll come out even faster. Not something I'd ever want to have happen twice.

Since most backcountry areas are hilly (up and down), I'd sure put them on all 4. I'd also carry two spare chains for when you lose one. Chaining up all 4 in mud/snow is a big pain in the neck, but it's fun when you're all dialed in and 'wheeling.

If you're on the trail and only have 2 chains, I put them in front whether going up or down a hill. If you go slow enough you shouldn't have any concerns about swapping ends even on steep downhills. Of course it's more than twice better if you have them on all four.

Driving on pavement with only 2, put them in the rear as you will typically be going at faster speeds and end swapping is a distinct possibility. Plus it is much safer with them in the rear if you pull a trailer. Depending on the size/weight of the trailer and how icey it is, I have actually put my second set of chains on the rear axle of the trailer. Running drag chains will keep the trailer from coming around and adds a lot to your stopping ability assuming the trailer axles have brakes too.